Central Ohio Big Brothers Big Sisters 'needs help now'

Saturday

Jun 21, 2014 at 12:01 AMJun 21, 2014 at 9:46 AM

If the twin brothers had followed through on their initial career choices, there likely would be one more pharmacist and one more doctor working somewhere in the nation's midsection. But then there might be a few more kids missing out on some of the help they need to thrive. Deric Cobb says he and his brother, Daryle, like to think they practice "a different kind of medicine."

Rita Price, The Columbus Dispatch

If the twin brothers had followed through on their initial career choices, there likely would be one more pharmacist and one more doctor working somewhere in the nation's midsection.

But then there might be a few more kids missing out on some of the help they need to thrive.

Deric Cobb says he and his brother, Daryle, like to think they practice "a different kind of medicine."

Both work for Franklin County Children Services. And in their spare time, when the 48-year-old brothers could be forgiven for wanting to step away from yet another emotional challenge, the Cobbs serve as volunteer mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio.

"If we could get about 100 more just like them, it would be wonderful," Ida Williams, match-support coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters, said.

Although the central Ohio agency is one of the nation's largest, family requests for a Big Brother or Big Sister still exceed available mentors by about 1,000.

Juanitha Harrison, whose 12-year-old son, Nathaniel, is paired with Deric Cobb, said other moms often ask her how to get their children into the program.

"I got lucky," Harrison said. "And Nathaniel took to it really good. I've seen a big difference - Mr. Deric even pops up at his school sometimes."

Harrison did a double take one day at her bank when she saw a man in line who looked exactly like her son's Big Brother. That's how she met Daryle.

The Mentoring Center of Central Ohio named Daryle and his first Little Brother, Kenneth Stafford, "Outstanding Mentor and Mentee" several years ago.

"When I first met Ken, he was 4-foot-8 and dragging a teddy bear," Daryle said. "Now he's 6-3, about 215 pounds and a professional football player. And I'm still 5-7."

Stafford, 24, plays in the Canadian Football League. Daryle was behind him every step of the way, from Stafford's high-school success at St. Francis DeSales to playing for the University of Toledo.

"His grandmother allowed me to travel with him on college visits, have conversations with the coaches," Daryle said. "When he called me to say he was graduating, and he told me how much he appreciated what I'd done for him, I was so touched. I was no good for the rest of the day."

He is now paired with 14-year-old Eli Williams, a thoughtful boy who loves art, cooking and travel. Daryle signed him up for a cooking class; the two often spend hours exploring the Downtown library.

If Eli does his chores for four weeks straight - without being told - he and his Big Brother are heading to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

Daryle said he and his brother became Big Brothers

14 years ago because of the need they saw in their jobs as Children Services caseworkers.

"Of course, we wanted to do something with the agency," he said. "But we were not allowed to serve as mentors to kids connected with Children Services."

The identical Cobb twins grew up in Lexington, Ky., in a two-parent home with a minister dad. "The one thing that was encouraged was to get involved," Daryle said. "And to always feel blessed that you have these opportunities."

Deric said their mother and father made clear the need to give back. "There are things that were given to me by some older, wiser males; and I think it's my responsibility to do the same," he said.

The brothers don't quite live mirror lives. Deric is married, has a son and lives in western Franklin County. He works in adoptions at Children Services.

Daryle is single and lives on the East Side. Last year, he became director of Children Services' Simba mentoring program for African-American youths. The move handed him Big Brother-style recruiting issues.

"We never have enough," Daryle said of the Children Services effort. "My goal is to have 200 mentors in my program. Currently, we have 62."

Williams said she wishes it were easier to convince people that they do have time to mentor. "You have a right to enjoy your life, of course," she said. "But this is equally enjoyable, and rewarding, too."

rprice@dispatch.com

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